Photo shows dolphin calf recovering after trash tangle

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The young dolphin rescued from a tangle of trash off Dunedin appears to be doing well, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.

It was two weeks ago when a team of marine biologists and veterinarians boating in the Gulf of Mexico helped free the dolphin while the 6-month-old calf's mother swam nearby.

She was released back into the wild to swim with her mother.

Friday, NOAA shared out a photo from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium showing the tagged calf leaping out of the water, apparently suffering no ill effects of her encounter.

"This dolphin was lucky, she was captured, freed of debris and returned back into the wild with no major injuries," NOAA Fisheries Services commented via Facebook.  "While this story had a happy ending, so many others do not.  Please dispose of trash properly."

The agency asks Floridians to call and report dead or injured marine mammals using the number 1-877-WHALE HELP.

LINK: Marine Debris Program